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“I’d known from the beginning of my recording career that one day I wanted to record an album of

blues covers, I just wasn’t sure when the right time to do that would be,” says Joanne. “I’ve always
found it far easier to write my own material than come up with creative ways to make other artists’
material my own.”

When the pandemic put the brakes on for musicians from touring during 2020 and most of 2021,
Joanne thought it was the right time to head into the studio to record “The Blues Album”.

“I mentioned my new project idea to Joe Bonamassa,” recalls Joanne. “He asked me for my song choices.
Immediately he began sending me
notes and was texting me song
suggestions.” Joanne and Joe have
been best friends and fans of each
other’s music for many years.
Joanne always wanted to work with

Joe if the right project or
collaboration came about.

“He was already acting as a mentor
as well as an unofficial producer on
The Blues Album, so I asked him if
he’d fancy the job, officially,” says

Joanne. “Thankfully, he accepted.
The Blues Album has been
everything I hoped it would be. It’s
been a labour of love, overseen by
an artist, producer, and friend who
I trust beyond measure."

“We wanted to make a tough vocal-
centric straight blues record that
showcases Joanne’s amazing talent
but in a slightly different light,"
explains Bonamassa. “Joanne is a
dear friend and a superstar. Josh
and I focused on testing her limits

and pushing boundaries that might
not have occurred before. It's all
about making a statement and
having the listener want to play the
music repeatedly."
© Christie Goodwin
Joanne’s covers album pays tribute

to artists and bands that are not
obvious choices including Little Village, Little Milton, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, James Ray, but, at
the same time, she covers seminal blues icons including Albert King, Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green
and Magic Sam. Some of the songs covered are B-sides of singles.

“We try not to live in the well-worn trails of the blues,” explains Bonamassa. “Each song has to has
to stand on its own while paying tribute to the original masters."